MRSA Superbug Forum

Hi,I am 39 years old and contracted MRSA after an appendectomy 8 years ago. At first they had no idea what was wrong with me and screwed around giving me one worthless antibiotic after another. Then one of the smarter quacks decided they should culture it and find out exactly what I had. Viola! MRSA. Another surgery to drain infected site and 28 days in quarantine with vanco drip and rifampin cocktails were the prescribed cure. I was eventually released with a central line to administer vanco at home for another 14 days along with the rifampin and a visiting nurse who came twice a day to pack my wound. (woo hoo) After completeing my vanco at home I was told I was CURED! But, in retrospect, without a blood test how could they have come to this conclusion? So began my odessey!

First, it was a spot on the back of my leg that went completly numb. Then that leg swelled. Back to the hospital for doppler to make sure it wasn't a blood clot. I was told they had no idea why my leg was swollen and sent home. Then I began to have intermittant pain in my GUTS. Then severe constipation, horrible bleeding that lead to a hysterectomy. Then excruciating PAIN, constant fatigue, weight loss (down to 98 lbs from 181), memory loss, brain fog, urinary incontinence, dizziness, vertigo, shortness of breath, chest pain, panic attacks... the list goes on and on! It took 4 years to completely disable me. Today I have the quality of life of a slug. I am unable to stand for more then 5 minutes at a time. I can sit for about 2 hours before I am so exhausted that I have to go to sleep. I am afraid to leave my house for fear of having an "attack".I believe that all my problems were or are being caused by the MRSA. Before getting it I was healthy, worked out, worked and went to cooking school and cared for my home and family. Most days now I can't brush my hair let alone anything else. I am VERY ANGRY at having my life stolen from me. I was never told anything more about the MRSA then the fact that I had it and could die from it. Even after being placed in quarantine the hospital staff didn't even follow their own containment procedures. Dr.'s, nurses and aides all walked in and out without washing. The equipment meant only for MY use was carted around and used on other patients. Does anyone else have anything like this? Surely I am not the only one who has had this type of experience.

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #1 by Misty

Posted: May 12, 2005
at 02:20

My husband is having some problems with the leg pain, back pain and fatigue. He had MRSA in December and was hospitalized with an entire bodily attack. Let me know if you have anything further

roman_103@hotmail.com

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #2 by MrsDodgy

Posted: May 16, 2005
at 18:43

I am currently still battling MRSA after 2 years and now am told i may not beat it yet.

I will tell you my story no problems and swap stories anytime you like.

Email me at MrsDodgy@yahoo.com.au or i am on yahoo messenger at the same address ... and and chat live if you like.

I would also like to know ins and outs of other peoples "surgery" related MRSA contraction as all the information i can get to fight this woul dbe appreciated.

Thanks

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #3 by grace

Posted: May 17, 2005
at 09:48

have mrsa in bladder i am 38 worked in care home feel realy depressed about this

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #4 by X

Posted: May 28, 2005
at 21:31

What the hell is wrong with you. Why would you tell such a terrible story about such a common infection. Your story does not dipict the magority of patients infected with MARSA, most carriers of MARSA have no idea they have it and it usualy dies off in a few months.

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #5 by #

Posted: May 28, 2005
at 22:35

MARSA? X you say this is very common? never heard of it oh i think you need spelling lessons as well. Look what you have written

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #6 by mari marchese

Posted: June 2, 2005
at 19:57

Hi Holli: I know what you mean by saying that it has stolen your life away from you. I was on vanco/rifampin cocktails for 12 weeks straight. I kept asking my doctor if my levels were good enough, and since I still had an open chest wound, he would say that he wasn't sure. My plastic surgeon kept telling me that he would go by the look of my wound (and that is why he kept it open) and my energy level. I insisted that I stay on the cocktails and the vanco at home for as long as he would prescribe it for me. He said he had to discontinue after 12 weeks, because coverage wouldn't pay anymore. How long were you on it? If the MRSA does not clear up, then they have to start you all over again. Why didn't they? Why did they let you debilitate so badly? I really feel for you and will pray for you.

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #7 by Bill

Posted: April 4, 2006
at 21:42

I had a near fatal accident they gave me around 5% chance of living at the site, The surgens did a terrific job saving my life, And i cannot thank them enough.But the only down side is me contacting the MRSA Bug. Besides fracturing my back in four places, I managed too De-glove the top of my head. And found after spending four weeks in a coma Awakening to the Horror that i caught MRSA wilts being in the intenive care unit.

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #8 by debbie

Posted: April 6, 2006
at 11:57

My sister had a coloid cyst removed from her brain 2 yrs ago.Whilst in hospital, she contracted MRSA in the fluid in her brain. She got over the surgery & the MRSA, but early last year started to go downhill suddenly. It was as though she could not function anymore-couldn't look after herself, g out, nothing. She is currently in a mental heath ward-they have been investigating, and she was referred to a Neurologial hospital for further tests. They have reported back that her condition is due to the effects of scarring on her brain caused by the opertaion and the infection - MRSA (though of course they didn't like admitting that bit).So, what do we do? Has anyone got any tangible ideas? I will be writing to the surgeon/ward that did the operation, but not quite sure what I am asking them for - advice/guidance/accepting blame. This has completely devastated ny sisters life - it has been taken away from her, without any explanation. I want some answers.

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #9 by Bev

Posted: April 6, 2006
at 13:30

dear debbiei am really sorry to hear about your sister ad you must all be worried sick about herplease take a look at website www.mrsaactionuk.com it has information on there also a list of questions that are only guidelines on what to ask for but may help youbest wishes

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #10 by Melissa

Posted: June 12, 2006
at 20:40

HELP my daughter was just diagnosed with MRSA. She has never had an operation or been hospitalize. Nobody seems to know how she got this. She is a 12 year girl , how do I deal with this

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #11 by Dawn

Posted: June 17, 2006
at 08:12

When I was diagnosed with MRSA I was treated with several anti biotics before they found one that allegedly 'cured' me. I have been given the all clear but still have problems with lethargy, brain fog, stomach cramps to name but a few. Is it possible that the bug could still be in my system despite having a blood test to give me the all clear.

Also give your immune system a boost with Metaberry and Aloe Gold Juice.

If you have MRSA, I found "super" pj's by Toray in England.They are made of a fabric that is woven with silver and it kills the bacteria on your skin.

These items can only help you combat this terrible infection.

If you need information on either contact me by email:mindydull@sbcglobal.net

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #13 by hazel

Posted: August 6, 2006
at 14:40

i contracted mrsa after i had breast reconstruction following mastectomy the previous year. to loose your breast once is hard , but then to loose them again is devastating. i became very poorly quickly and was told i had toxic shock to the point my skin was peeling, two years on and i am still not back to what i was, but docters are unable or unwilling to tell me if it is down to the mrsa or not , i feel very frustrated that my life has gone from one that was energetic and full to practacly just existing . has any one else suffered fromsymptoms like mine or is it all in my head as i am being led to belive .

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #14 by hazel

Posted: August 6, 2006
at 14:42

i contracted mrsa after i had breast reconstruction following mastectomy the previous year. to loose your breast once is hard , but then to loose them again is devastating. i became very poorly quickly and was told i had toxic shock to the point my skin was peeling, two years on and i am still not back to what i was, but docters are unable or unwilling to tell me if it is down to the mrsa or not , i feel very frustrated that my life has gone from one that was energetic and full to practacly just existing . has any one else suffered fromsymptoms like mine or is it all in my head as i am being led to belive .

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #15 by JAY

Posted: August 11, 2006
at 17:12

MRSA is generally contracted from the hands of nurses, aides and doctors. Good handwashing is the first line in combating the spread of M.R.S.A.Equipment for MRSA patients should never be taken for use to another patient, such as glucose monitoring devices, IV poles,rolls of medical tape etc. etc. Yet many nurses go room to room using the same tape,stethoscope, IV clamps, and do not clean these well enough or not at all. Thus a post-op appendectomy patient will have the same stethoscope placed on their abdomen to check for bowel sounds as the isolated MRSA patient in the next room had to check lung sounds. The variety of agents that MRSA can cling to is unlimited. Nurses of all people should know this.

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #16 by CAROL

Posted: August 24, 2006
at 03:20

I HAD A TINY WHITE PIMPLE NEAR MY UNDERARM.I NOTETESS IT WHILE SWOWERING.WHEN THRU,IT HAD BURST.I CLEANED IT WITH ALCHOL PADS &FORGOT IT IN 3 DAYS ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE.BOIL THE SIZE OF A GOLF BALL BURST &DRAINED PUS AND BLOOD FOR 2 DAYS,I KELP EVERYTHING STERILE WITH ALCOHL &COMMERICAL DISINFECTED.HOPITALIZED 3 WEEKS.HOSPITAL HD TO GET ANTI BOTICS FROM ATLANTA. THE HOME CARE NURSE TOLD ME WHAT THE DISEASE WAS. SINCERELY,CAROL

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #17 by terrance

Posted: August 25, 2006
at 23:16

I contacted MRSA somehow, not through surgery, and had a boil in my groin area. Treated at Cedars in Los Angeles. This was 8 months ago, but now I have this horrible back and hip pain. Its lasted for over four months. I'm healthy and 48 yrs old. Does anyone else have symptoms like this?

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #18 by cindy

Posted: June 22, 2008
at 03:33

I was diganosed in m.r.s.a and cellutis four weeks ago . I was given numerous iv antibotics! I still have a open area on my leg! And now i have edema on that leg that will not go away i have cramps and numbness now! Could someone please help me with this ! I am open for any kind of help

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Re: Long Term Effects of MRSAReply #19 by patricia stevens

Posted: June 26, 2008
at 23:03

dont give up!!!!! Ive been out of the hopital for 2 weeks and after 1 month hopitalized with vanco, I cant afford the Rifampin, I went to the er with continued shoulder pain and chest pain on the left side, they tried to blow me off, saying "youve got no symptoms, no sores". I insisted on bloodwork and they found some bacteria still in my urine. I wont know for some days if its still mrsa. They gave me some other bullshit antibiotic and told me that joint pain is not associated with mrsa. thank god i found these forums, or i may have given up. Im not crazy and neither are yall. maybe some of yall are crazy-ish at times. (smile) Keep pushing on. thanks to yall i will. mrsa had colonized onto my sternum and I just dont know alot about the long term effects yet. But even if youre feelin somewhat better afterthe vancomycin, still insist on followup. My feet are still itching on top, and my shoulder still hurts. I feel 99% better, and i sure didnt want to sit in the er at the charity hospital for 8 hours, but if i wouldnt have pushed for the bloodwork, this shit wouldve started all over and probably killed me this time. Im 39 years old. I love all of Yall.